Signaling system



Sept. 6, 1949. A.E. JOEL, JR

SIGNALING SYSTEM Filed Jan. 11, 1945 In DIFFERENT/41:]

m/vavroxe A. E. JOEL, JR.

D/FFER DIME/954ml] M Z] D/FFEREN DIFFERENT/4 wfmea ATmRNFV PatentedSept. 6, 1949 SIGNALING SYSTEM Amos E. Joel, Jr., New York, N. Y.,assignor to Bell Telephone Laboratories, Incorporated, New York, N. Y.,a corporation of New York Application January 11, 1945, Serial No.572,276

This invention relates to signaling and switching systems andparticularly to systems in which selective signaling is efiected by thetransmission of impulses in an electrical circuit.

Objects of the invention are to improve the reliability of selectiveimpulse transmission and to increase the efficien-cy of regenerativeimpulse repeaters.

A feature of the invention is a regenerative impulse repeater adapted totransmit outgoing impulses at a fixed accurately controlled rateindependent of variations in the rate or number of the incoming impulsesand to transmit outgoing impulses while incoming impulses are beingreceived.

Another feature of the invention is an ima pulse repeater in which thetransmission of outgoing impulses at a fixed accurately controlled ratebegins when a predetermined number of incoming impulses have beenreceived, this numher being determined by the particular rate at whichimpulses are received and the particular rate at which outgoing impulsesare transmitted.

Another feature of the invention is an impulse repeater comprising aplurality of sets of counting relays successively operable responsive toincoming impulses, one set by each impulse in a train, the number ofsets of counting relays being less than the maximum number of impulsesin a train, the transmission of outgoing impulses,

one for each incoming impulse of a train being initiated when apredetermined number of sets of counting relays have been operatedresponsive to incoming impulses.

Another feature of the invention is an imsidering an impulse repeater inwhich the invention is embodied, one such repeater being representedschematically in the drawing. The invention is, however, not limited inits application to the system and repeater herein disclosed but isgenerally applicable to any system in which 15 Claims. (01. 177-380)signalling is effected by the transmission of trains of impulses.

The drawing which consists of a single figure shows an impulse dial 5,an impulse generator IR for use in testing the operation of an automatictelephone system, and an impulse receiving relay 46. The dial 5comprises a set of impulse springs 6 and two sets of off-normal springsl and 8. The impulse regenerator comprises a slow-to-release relay 9, animpulse receiving relay l6, five pairs of counting relays and threepolarized control relays 32, 35 and 36. Relay 32 has two windings whichare connected in combination with condenser 33 and resistor 3! to effectits alternate operation and release.

The time of operation and time of release are controlled by thecapacitance of condenser 33 and the conductance of resistor 3|. Relay 32controls the operation and release of relays 36 and 35 to effect thetransmission of impulses to the impulse receiving relay 4|] and toefiect the release of an operated set of counting relays for eachimpulse transmitted. The number of sets of counting relays which arerequired depends on the particular rate at which dial impulses arecreated and the particular rate at which the outgoing-impulses aretransmitted. In the arrangement shown, it is assumed that dial impulsesare created at the minimum rate of eight impulses per second and thatrelay 32 is tuned to generate outgoing impulses at the rate of elevenimpulses per second, the transmission of outgoing impulses beinginitiated when three dial impulses have been registered by the operationof the first three sets of counting relays. The impulse receiving relay4!! may be the impulse receiving relay of a register sender or mayrepresent the impulse receiving relay of a selector or connector switchwhich is directly controlled by dial impulses.

When the testing equipment is prepared for use, ground is connected toconductor 50 thereby closing a circuit through the impulse springs 6 ofdial 5 for operating impulse relay H]. The connection of ground toconductor 56 completes a circuit including the lower back contact ofrelay 3!! for energizing the upper winding of relay 32 in thenon-operate direction and also completes a circuit through resistor 38,winding of relay 36, winding of relay 35, lower winding of relay 32 andresistor 3|. Relays 36 and 35 are operatively energized and the lowerwinding of relay 32 is energized in the operate direction but isineffective to operate relay 32 due to the opposing energization of itsupper winding. The

When the dial returns to normal, contact springs :6 are actuated toinitiate two impulses in succession,

each of which effects the rlease a'nd reoperatio'r'r of relay ID. Therelease of-relay'i'fl in responseto the first impulse closes a circuitfor operating This circuit includes grounded "conrelay I. ductor 58, thefront contact of relay 9, back contime after relay 33 operates, relay 32is operated by the current energizing its lower winding. The operationof relay 32 connects ground to resistor 3| thereby causing a reversal ofcurrent through its lower winding and the windings of relays 35 and 36.Relays 35 and 36 are thereby released but the release of relay 32 isdelayed for a predetermined intervals of time due to the energization ofthe upper-winding of relay 32 by current discharging condenser 33. Therelease of relay =36 opens the operating circuit of relay 43 and therelease of relay 35 disconnects ground from conductor 39 thereby causingthe release of relay 2|. When'relay 32' releases, it opens the dischargepath for condenser 33 and disconnects ground from resistor 3'| therebyagain reversing the our- 1 rent through its lower winding and thewindings tact of relay Ill, conductor 21, upper back'co'ntact"' of relay3G, conductor 25, inner upper back contact of relay 2| arid theupperwinding of relay H. When relay l6 reoperates at the end ofthe firstimpulse, relay is l'1e1d operatedand relay 2| isoperated by currentina'cir cuit whichineludes the upper winding of relay 1 l, upper windingof relay 2|, front contact-of relay H, conductor I6, front contactofrelay 9 and conductor 55. When relay'l 0 releases responsive to thesecond impulse, relay '|2 is=6perated by'current' in a circuit whichincludesgrounded conductor 55, the front contact-of relay9; back contactof relay I3, conductor 21, inner upper front-contact of relay 2|, upperback contact of relay 22 and the upper winding of relay l2. When relay Ureoperates at the end of the second impulse, relay I2 is held operatedand relay 22 is' operated by current in a circuit whichuncludes" theupper windings of relays l2 and 22, fi'ont contact of relay l2,conductor l'fi, front contact'of' relay-9, and the grounded conductor-'50; When the dial reaches normal after 'transmitting the two impulses,springs 8 close a circuitfor "operatingrelay 30 and springs open theoperatingcircuit' of relay 9. The circuit for operating -relay 3Ulneludes the winding of relay 33, di'alspriri'gs8, conductor 28 and theuppermost front contact of each of relays 2| and 225 Re1ay30 locks toconductor 28 independent of dial springs 8; disconnects conductor'2'lfronfconductor 26, connects ground to conductor 1'6 before theslow-torelease relay 9 releases to maintain the energization of theupper windings of relays ll' and 2| and the energization of relays|2"and 2-2, closes a circuit for energizing the lower windingsof relays2| and H, and opens the circuit through the upper winding of relay 32.The circuit for energizing the lower windings"- of relays 2| and II istraced from off-normal ground through conductor 53, the front contact'ofrelay '35,conductor 39, outer lower front contact of relay 30,conductor 29, lower back contact of relay 25, lower front contact andwinding oil-clay 2|, and the lower winding of relay ll. Relay releasesbecause its lower winding is energized diiierem' tially with respect toits upper. winding." The release of relay opens. the holding circuitthrough the upper windings of relays and 2|; but relay 2| is heldoperated after relay releases by the energization' of its lower windinguntil relay 35 releases as hereinafter described. The opening of thecircuit through" the upperwindingof relay 32v doesnot immediately effectthe operation of relay 32 since its upper. winding is energized bycurrent charging condenser 33. At the end of a"predeterminedinterval-ofof relays 35 and 33. Relays 35 and 35 are thereuponimmediatelyreoperated but the reoperation of relay 32 is delayed for apredetermined interval: of time' -by I current :charging con'd'en'ser"33. The 'reope'ration of relay 35 closes the circuit for operatingrelay 43. The reoperation'of relay 35 closes a circuit fromgroundythrough conductor 53-, front contact of relay 35-,conductor 39,-afront contact o'frelay 3%, conductor 23, lower back'contact of relay 2|,lowerfrontcontact of relay 22 and lower windings of relays 22 and I2.The current in this circuit holdsr'e-lay' 22 operated but causes therelease -'of --relay -'|2 fsince the windings of relay |2 aredifferentially energized. Relay 22 is held operated 'af-ter relay l2releases until ground is disconnected froin conductor 39 by the nextrelease-orrelay 35. The operation of'relay 32, at the end of theaforementioned predeter mined interval or time measured by the chargingof condenser 35, again causes a-reversal of current through its"lowerwinding-and the windings of relays 35 and 35. Relays '35 and 36 areagain immediatelyreleased'but the release of relay 32 is delayed for thedesired" predetermined interval of time by current discharging condenserThe release of relay-'tfi pens the circuit for operating relay 55' andthe release of'relay 35' disconnects ground frorn' conductor 33 so' asto cause the release ofrelay 22: When relay 32 releases, thecurrent'through itslo'werwinding and the windings of relays '35 and 35is again reversed to efiect the reoperation of relays 35 and 35/ Relay36 again'closes the; circuit/for operatin relay 45 and relay 35rconne'c'ts ground to conductor 39 without affecting any furthercounting relays because all the counting relays which were operated havebeen released. Before relay 32 can again beoperated; relay "30ri'eleases s'ince its operating and holding circuits were'opened by therelease of rel'ay'22; The'release of relay 35' reconnec'ts ground toconductor 33'so'as to energize the upper winding of'relay' 32'in'thenon-oper ate direction and thereby 'prevent the reoperation ofrelay 32so thatnc'furtherimpulses can be transmittedby relay 33 to relay 40.: I

Assumethat the nextdigit dialed is the digit 0 to generate a train oftendial impulses. Relay 3 is operatedas hereinbefore described when thedial is moved oil-normal, thereby connecting ground to conductor-l6.Relaylfl is alternately released andreoperated each time the impulsecontacts 6 are actuated. Relays H and 2| are operated responsive to'thefirst impulse of the train and relays I2 and 22 are operated responsiveto the second impulse of the train in the manner hereinbefore"described. Relays I3 and 23 are operatedin like manner responsive tothe third impulse, relaysltand 24responsive to the fourth impulse andrelays l5 and responsive to the fifth impulse. When relay 23 operates itcloses a circuit for operating relay and relay 30 is held operated aslong as any of the counting relays 2! to 25 are operated. The operationof relay 30 starts the operation of the timed impulse generating relay32 as hereinbefore described whereby relay 3B is controlled to transmitimpulses to relay 40 and relay is controlled to effect the release of aset of counting relays each time an impulse is transmitted to relay 4!].Thus when the fifth impulse of the train is registered by the operationof relays I5 and 25, relays I l and 2| will have been released by thesending of the first impulse to relay and are ready for reoperationresponsive to the sixth impulse of the train of ten impulses created bythe dialing of the digit 0. In like manner, relays l2 and 22 have beenreleased by the sending of the second impulse to relay 40 and arereoperated responsive to the seventh dial impulse; relays l3 and 23 arereleased in like mannor by the sending of the third impulse to relay 4Band are reoperated responsive to the eighth dial impulse; relays I4 and24 are released by the sending of the fourth impulse to relay 40 and arereoperated responsive to the ninth dial impulse; and relays l5 and 25are released by the sending of the fifth impulse to relay 40 and arereoperated responsive to the tenth dial impulse. Thereafter relays IIand 2!, l2 and 22, I3 and 23, i4 and 24 and I5 and 25 are again releasedin succession by the sending of the sixth, seventh, eighth, ninth andtenth impulses to relay 4|). When relay 25 releases at the end of thetenth impulse, relay 30 releases thereby closing the circuit forenergizing the upper winding of relay 32 to end the transmission ofimpulses to relay 40.

It is apparent that the rate and percentage break at which impulses aretransmitted to relay to depend on the capacity of condenser 33 andconductance of resistor 3|, and it is necessary to provide enough setsof counting relays so that each dial impulse will be registered toenable its transmission. The number of impulses which must be registeredbefore the transmission of outgoing impulses can be started depends uponthe relative rate at which impulses are being received and transmitted.For given rates of incoming and outgoing impulses, a certain number ofcounting relays will be provided; and the particular set, whoseoperation efiects the operation of relay 30 depends on these two impulserates in order that a set of counting relays will be operated responsiveto each impulse of the maximum train which the dial is arranged totransmit.

What is claimed is:

1. In an impulse receiving and repeating device adapted to receive andrepeat trains of current impulses each train consisting of any desirednumber of impulses, means comprising a plurality of sets of countingrelays successively operable responsive to incoming impulses, means fortransmitting corresponding outgoing impulses at a desired rateindependent of the rate at which incoming impulses are received, meanscomprising a contact of a particular one of said sets of counting relaysfor initiating the operation of said impulse transmitting means when apredetermined plurality of impulses have been received, and meanseffective to release an operated set of counting relays for eachoutgoing impulse transmitted.

2. In an impulse receiving and repeating device adapted to receive andrepeat trains of our rent impulses each train consisting of any desirednumber of impulses, means comprising a plurality of sets of countingrelays successively operable responsive to incoming impulses, one set byeach impulse, means for transmitting corresponding outgoing impulses ata desired rate independent of the rate at which incoming impulses arereceived, means rendered effective by the operation of one of said setsof counting relays for initiating the operation of said outgoing impulsetransmitting means when a predetermined plurality of impulses have beenreceived, and means eiiective to release an operated set of countingrelays for each outgoing impulse transmitted.

'3. In combination, an impulse relay responsive to incoming currentimpulses, a plurality of counting devices successively operable underthe control of said impulse relay, one device by each incoming impulseof a train, normally disabled impulse transmitting means comprising atiming relay for effecting the transmission of outgoing currentimpulses, means comprising one of said counting devices for initiatingthe operation of said transmitting means when a predetermined pluralityof impulses have been received by said impulse relay, and means forsuccessively releasing the operated counting devices in the order oftheir operation, one device for each outgoing impulse transmitted.

4. In combination, an impulse relay responsive to incoming currentimpulses, a plurality of sets of counting relays successively operableunder the control of said impulse relay, one set by each incomingimpulse of a train, normally disabled impulse transmitting meanscomprising a timing relay for effecting the transmission of outgoingcurrent impulses at a rate independent of the rate at whichcorresponding incoming impulses are received, means comprising one ofsaid sets of counting relays for initiating the operation of saidtransmitting means when a predetermined number of impulses have beenreceived by said impulse relay, and means for successively releasing theoperated sets of counting relays in the order of their operation, oneset for each outgoing impulse transmitted.

5. In combination, an impulse relay responsive to incoming currentimpulses, a plurality of sets of counting relays successively operableunder the control of said impulse relay, one set by each incomingimpulse of a train, normally disabled impulse transmitting meanscomprising a timing relay for efiecting the transmission of outgoingcurrent impulses, means comprising one of said sets of counting relaysfor initiating the operation of said transmitting means when apredetermined number of impulses have been received by said impulserelay, and means for terminating the transmission of outgoing impulsesas soon as an outgoing impulse has been transmitted for'each impu se ofa train received by said impulse relay, said last-mentioned meanscomprising means for successively releasing the operated sets ofcounting relays in the order of their operation, one set for eachoutgoing impulse transmitted.

6. In combination, an impulse sender adapted to transmit currentimpulses at a certain rate, an impulse relay responsive to each impulsetransmitted by said sender, a plurality of sets of counting relaysarranged for successive operation under the control of said impulserelay, one set by each incoming impulse of a train, means comprising atiming relay for transmitting outgoing impulses at a rate :independentnithe rate, ntewhich imv puls eszare: transmitted by said-.impulsezsender; 1a oontrolrelayhaving 'a contacttnormallyrldisalolinsaid impulse transmitting meansmeans comprise ing apartioular one ofsaid sets oiacountingzrelays effective. when a. predetermined numhernofrim.- pulsesin a train :have been received by'said im: pulsenrelay ifOloperating said controlsrelay to initiate. the operation of: said impulsetransmits ting means; meansacomprising 1a;contact. nfcsaid sender foroperatin said control relayuin'ease 1a trainer-less thansaidpredeterminednumber of impulses is transmitted by saidsenderjtoiinitiate the operation oisaid impulse transmitting means; andmeans. controlled by; said atimingurelay" for successively releasing theoperated sets. oicount: ing relays in the order of:their operation, weset for each; outgoing ;impulse,:.the releaseo all of the operated'setsof: counting relays. being aefiec-r tive to release said controlrrelayand thereby-disable the impulse transmitter: as soon: asan outgoingimpulse has been transmitted: for. eaoh impulse a train created'by theoperation ofsaid impulse sender: Y

'7. In combination, an'impulserelay responsive to incoming currentimpulses; a-plurality-of sets of counting relays :successivelyoperableunder the control of said'impulserelay; one set by each incomingimpulseof a train, the maximumlnumre ber of-timpulses in aninoomin trainbeing-greater A than the number of sets of counting relay mallyzdisabledimpulse transmitting means comprising a-timing relay for effecting thetransmission --of :outgoingcurrent impulses, means come prising oneoissaid-sets oi counting relays for :11

initiating the operation of said transmitting means when apredeterminednumber: oi :im-pulses have been-receivedby said impulse -;relay,-andmeansriorsuocessively; releasing the operatedsets of counting relaysinthe order of their. operation, one set for each: outgoingimpulseatransmitted, whereby the number or outgoing impulses::eorrespondstothe number ofincom'ing impulses.-

8. In combination, an impulsesender. adapted to transmiteurrentzimpulses at acertainirate; an impulse relay responsive toteachimpulse-transemitted by said send-er; a plurality of sets 0f iC0l1I1t+ing relays arranged for sucoessiveoperation under the controlofsaidimpulse -relay,:-one setsby. each incoming impulse of a train; themaximum num-: ber ofimpulses which said :sender is adapted tosendsirrone train beinegreater than the number of sets :ofacountingrelays, ::means; comprising a timing relay for transmitting outgoingimpulses at a rate independentof the rate-at EWhiOh Iimpulseswaretransmitted by said .:impulse sender; a control relay having acontact'normallw disabling said impulse transmitting means, meanscomprising zarparticularpne ofisaid sets of. cQun h-' ingrelayseiiective when a predetermined number of impulses: in a traimhavebeen receivedby said-impulse relay for operating said control relay toinitiate the operation of said :impulsetnans mitting means, meanscomprising-a contact1 of said sender for operating saidcontrolrelayincasea- 'tI'ELiII'LOflBSS than said predeterminecl numrber of impulsesis transmitted by saidsender to initiate the operation of said impulsetransmitting meansrand means; controlled by said-timing relay forsuccessively .releasingwthe operated sets of counting relaysintheorder-oftheirl opera-.- tion; one set for each-outgoing impulse,vthere?- lease of all "of the operated sets ofoountingztelaysbeingwefieotiveato-srelease said control. relays-and thereby; disable.gthe impulse rtransmitter 8431580011 as. anoutgoina-limpulseunas beentransmittedior each: impulseainaa rain- .ereated :by. the operation ofsaid impulse-sender;

9. Iman impulse re s ins-and repeating-Ede: viee adapteditomeneive; andrepeat vtrains oicui rent iimpulsesmeachetrain .oonsistin of .anydeiredrrmmhertof imp l es. means compr inaa pluralityzoi r/countine:ideviQ s-.:- successively. 961? able. responsive tot-incoming imp lses,ineaus'tqr transmittma-eorrespending1' out n impulses sat a.desirediratezindeneuden .Of the. r te at whi h impulsesnare reeiyed-,.-ame n zefiective. in ase the number eiirapulses a t in. i qu lto l. ereaterxthan.aaeradetermin d .rlur al ty: f nith atinaftheoperatiem qfz-said impulse. transmit n means Whemsaid predetermin d'pural ty of m: pulsessbaverb nbeen-received by a .oczuntmi devieea-iaridmeans-effective o relea e ai pe atedioountinazderioe f r; ach; out o ngimpulse trarismitzteiyj :12

1 0. In anzim pulse re eiv n and rep at n 19a vioe adap ed tol-reoe eandrepe t ra ns oiaellr rentlimpulsesweachtra n co s n i a y desiredeanumer of---'mnulse ,-im ns; c mp isin a nlurality-aofvse s :0. count n rlays suc e s vely operablev-xespousive. to; c m ng: l mpulses; 1 themaximumrnumberr fi imp ls n a re e ve ain b i 'greatert anthe numb r'oists f ount: ng relays. mean -.-f.z rtransmittin ut oin pulseslae-zdesired rat ind p nd n ofthe ate at wh chimpuls sare eceiv d, mean orin tiate mg the ope ation of: s i mpulse transmit n m anszwhenap urity;oip edetermin dnum rs f impu seshave beenareeeivedoby aid countin reays; and means reflect ve to r l a anope a ated'fifitiof' fia n nlg'rela rr reacho t oine i 1 uul eitransmitted.

11.. luau mpulse-[rece ving a d repe tin Q91 vice adapted to receive andrepeat trains'of-eur-l ren limpul esieaeha ain consi in f, an @d red.number-oi impulse sme n --C0mprisin a p rality. ons ts bf: =-eountingela 5 1 c ss rr operable eresponsive to: inc m n i puls swne set yeaohvimnu senth ma immn er oi impulses-11 5 reeeired train b ggreateran. the numberrof-s ts tcountine l y m n ior transmitting. .oagoina impu es at. .a de d-rate independent'ofathe rate at'which impulsesare rec ived; means-mmp isinesa c n act of. .apa tieular one Qt;said-sets of ou t ng re a s-t r initiating the operation. of said imulse trans. mittiug f means: and mea szaei 'wetorelease. a perat d-seto-froountina re ay o a hutsome mpulse transmi t d- 12, An unpulsearen sie ar n em nt s e prisin impulse ee iviua me n respensive o a trainiorlcurrenti izmml es, means f r n mitting a train of currentimpulsesoorresponding-to the received-train; and eans for initiatingsaid tran m ssion .wvlien a p d ter ed plu ity oi mp lses hevebeen.-reeivedlor for initiating sai tr nsmission-afienthe last impulse of a trainor impulsesaof less th n aid pre e ermin num. ber ha beenlreo ived- -13.An impulse. repeatinea r em come pri in impulsew-rec i ing means .-forperati n responsive --t o;atrainpf incoming current 1111- p ses; me nsfor r nsmittin aorre pon n ra ner-outgoing current impulses at a desiredr te: i dependent at t e rate. atwhich said in: ommemimpulsesl-are-.received, a means or initia ng wansmissienaof .the outgoing..lm.- pusesewb n-.apred term n dplurality10f i ome ing impulses have beenreceivedor for initiating the ll'flnsnlifi ionrof'ztheoutgoing-impulses. atter the last impulse of a train of impulses of lessthan said predetermined number has been received.

14. An impulse repeating arrangement comprising a plurality of countingrelays responsive successively to a train of current impulses, meanscomprising said counting relays for transmitting a train of currentimpulses corresponding to the received train, and means for initiatingsaid transmission when a predetermined plurality of impulses have beenreceived or for initiating said transmission after the last impulse of atrain of impulses of less than said predetermined number has beenreceived.

15. In an impulse receiving and repeating device adapted to receive andrepeat trains of current impulses each train consisting of any desirednumber of impulses, means comprisin a plurality of counting devicessuccessively operable responsive to incoming impulses, means fortransmitting corresponding outgoing impulses at 20 AMOS E. JOEL, JR.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file ofthis patent:

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